What does "work up to" mean?

To prepare gradually for something difficult To increase capacity or courage over time.

How do you use "work up to" in a sentence?

Work up to running 5K. She worked up to asking him. I'm working up to telling them.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: To prepare gradually for something difficult

逐步为困难的事情做准备

Prepararse gradualmente para algo difícil

難しいことに向けて徐々に準備する

어려운 일을 향해 서서히 준비하다

To increase capacity or courage over time.

随着时间增加能力或勇气。

Aumentar la capacidad o el coraje con el tiempo.

時間をかけて能力や勇気を高めること。

시간을 두고 능력이나 용기를 키워 나가는 것.

Base verb: work

Particle: up to

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

Work up to running 5K.
逐步练习到能跑5公里
Ir preparándose para correr 5K
5キロ走れるようになるまで徐々に練習する
5km를 뛸 수 있도록 점차 훈련하다.
She worked up to asking him.
她鼓起勇气问了他
Ella se fue preparando para preguntarle
彼女は勇気を出して彼に聞いた
그녀는 용기를 내어 그에게 물었다.
I'm working up to telling them.
我在做心理准备告诉他们
Me estoy preparando para decírselo
彼らに言う心の準備をしているところ
그들에게 말할 마음의 준비를 하고 있어.

Context: preparation, courage, training

Tone: progressive

From working to build up to a level.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal